Casablanca-Settat, Morocco
Casablanca Travel Guide
Casablanca is Morocco's largest city and its economic capital. For many international travelers it is also the arrival point, thanks to Mohammed V International Airport and fast rail links north to Rabat and Tangier and south to Marrakech.
Updated September 15, 2026Winds of Morocco Editorial Team
Quick answer
Is Casablanca worth visiting?
Casablanca is worth one or two days, especially if you fly into Mohammed V Airport. The Hassan II Mosque, one of the very few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors through guided tours, is a highlight, along with Art Deco architecture downtown, the Habous quarter and the ocean Corniche. It is a modern business city rather than a historic medina destination, so most travelers pair it with Rabat, Marrakech or Fes.
The city is often skipped, but it offers something the historic cities do not: a portrait of contemporary Morocco, with early 20th-century Art Deco and Mauresque architecture, a long oceanfront, a lively dining scene and the monumental Hassan II Mosque standing partly over the Atlantic.
Why visit Casablanca
The Hassan II Mosque
An immense mosque on the ocean edge, richly decorated by Moroccan craftsmen, and one of the few in the country where non-Muslims can enter on a guided tour.
Art Deco and Mauresque architecture
Downtown streets around Boulevard Mohammed V and Place Mohammed V hold facades from the early and mid 20th century that blend European Art Deco with Moroccan motifs.
Contemporary Morocco
Galleries, cafés, beach clubs and some of the country's most varied restaurants.
An easy arrival hub
Rail connections make Casablanca a practical first or last night on a Moroccan itinerary.
Best time to visit
Casablanca's ocean climate is moderate year-round, with warm but rarely extreme summers and mild, damp winters.
Spring and autumn are pleasant for walking tours. Summer brings locals to the beaches along the Corniche.
During Ramadan, the mosque's tour schedule is reduced and often limited to mornings, so check before you plan your visit.
Where to stay in Casablanca
Casablanca is a city of hotels and apartments rather than riads. Base yourself by the ocean for leisure or downtown for rail connections.
Best areas
- 01
Corniche and Ain Diab
Best for: Ocean views, beach clubs, hotels
The oceanfront strip west of the Hassan II Mosque has hotels, restaurants and beach clubs. It is lively in summer and a taxi ride from downtown.
- 02
Downtown (Centre-ville)
Best for: Architecture, business travel, Casa Port station
Central Casablanca places you near Art Deco streets, the tram and Casa Port station. Some blocks feel busy and gritty, so choose a well-reviewed hotel.
- 03
Maarif and Gauthier
Best for: Restaurants, shopping, apartments
Residential and commercial districts with cafés, boutiques and a good choice of apartments and business hotels.
- 04
Anfa
Best for: Quiet, upscale stays
A leafy, affluent area of villas and upscale residences near the coast, convenient for longer or quieter stays.
Types of accommodation
Hotels
International chains and Moroccan hotel groups cover every budget, with oceanfront options on the Corniche and business hotels in the center.
Apartments
Apartments in Maarif, Gauthier and near the Corniche suit longer stays, families and remote workers.
Villas
A limited number of villas are found in Anfa and along the coast towards Dar Bouazza, usually for longer rentals.
Things to do in Casablanca
Culture
Tour the Hassan II Mosque
Non-Muslim visitors enter on scheduled guided tours that cover the prayer hall and the ablution hall below it. Times change around prayers, on Fridays and during Ramadan, so check the current schedule on the day and dress modestly.
Culture
Walk Art Deco downtown
Explore Boulevard Mohammed V, the Central Market and the administrative buildings around Place Mohammed V. Local heritage associations sometimes organize architecture walks.
Shopping
The Habous quarter
Built in the 20th century as a 'new medina', the Habous has tidy arcades, bookshops, olive stalls and traditional pastry shops.
Outdoors
The Corniche
Walk or cycle the oceanfront promenade towards Ain Diab, especially at sunset, and stop at a café facing the surf.
Culture
Museum of Moroccan Judaism
A small museum in the Oasis district documenting Morocco's Jewish heritage, often described as the only museum of its kind in the Arab world.
Day trips and nearby
Rabat
The capital is a short train ride away and makes an easy day trip, though it deserves a night of its own.
El Jadida
South along the coast, the Portuguese City of Mazagan is a UNESCO-listed fortified town with a remarkable underground cistern.
Getting there
From Mohammed V Airport
ONCF trains link the airport with Casa Voyageurs in about 35 minutes and Casa Port in about 45 minutes, generally once an hour. Taxis and private transfers take a similar time outside rush hour.
By train from other cities
Al Boraq high-speed trains run to Rabat and Tangier, while conventional ONCF services connect with Marrakech (roughly two hours forty to three hours twenty) and Fes.
Getting around
- Casablanca's tramway lines connect downtown, the Corniche area and several residential districts, and are the easiest way to avoid traffic.
- Red petits taxis are plentiful. Ride-hailing apps operate in the city, but availability can vary.
- Traffic is heavy at peak hours; allow extra time when heading to the airport by road.
Food and shopping
What to eat
Fresh seafood near the port and along the Corniche, traditional pastries in the Habous and a wide international restaurant scene.
What to buy
Books, olives and spices in the Habous, and Moroccan design brands in Maarif's boutiques.
Practical tips
Mosque etiquette
For the Hassan II Mosque tour, cover shoulders and knees. You will remove your shoes inside.
Big-city awareness
As in any large city, watch your belongings in crowded areas and at stations, and use licensed taxis.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Casablanca airport to the city center?
The simplest option is the ONCF airport train to Casa Voyageurs (about 35 minutes) or Casa Port (about 45 minutes), which usually runs hourly. Taxis and pre-booked transfers go door to door and are more practical with lots of luggage or late at night.
Can non-Muslims visit the Hassan II Mosque?
Yes. Non-Muslim visitors can enter on guided tours at set times, which vary on Fridays, around prayers and during Ramadan. Buy tickets on site or check the current schedule before you go.
How many days should I spend in Casablanca?
One full day covers the Hassan II Mosque, downtown architecture, the Habous and the Corniche. Two days allow a slower pace or a day trip to Rabat or El Jadida.
Sources
- Train timetables and airport link · ONCF (Moroccan National Railways)
- Portuguese City of Mazagan (El Jadida) · UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Visit Morocco: Casablanca · Moroccan National Tourist Office
Related guides
Travel notes
Al Boraq: How Morocco's High-Speed Train Changed Travel in the North
Since 2018, Africa's first high-speed rail line has linked Tangier with Rabat and Casablanca. Here is what it means for planning a trip.
